Saturday, May 30, 2009

Does this count as a hipster event? If so, I think I might have hipster leanings despite pushing 40.

Today from NOON to midnight there is an indoor mini-golf event in Industry City. It's free (love it), there might be local food (the lovely woman who emailed me didn't sound 100%, but they were trying), and it's for the entire family. So all the hipsters who want to go aren't allowed to complain about the kids. Of course, there will also be beer, so I guess only the kids can complain about the poor playing others are doing.

Once again, we thank Vanessa from veesvision for uploading this to the BViB photo pool. I like the contrasts of color, as well as the subjects. Chainlink as a background to flowers and butterflies always work.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Did the re-zoning debate fire you up about the neighborhood? Do you want to get involved, but you aren't sure what to do or how to do it? Consider checking in with SPAN. Probably because of lots of interest in the recent re-zoning furor, they will be holding an orientation meeting at their next get-together. See below.

The next meeting is Saturday, May 30th at 3 PM. The meeting is at Trinity Lutheran Church on 4th Avenue between 45th and 46th Streets.

There will be a special introduction to SPAN for new people who want to work with us.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

For the final workshop in the May series, get ready for some amazing drumming. In addition to the cultures represented in the previous evenings, Egyptian and Indian drumming will add their beats. Even if you've missed the other workshops, make sure to check out this one. Be at the Sunset Park Recreation Center from 6:15 to 7:30 PM for a great time.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Have a hankering for art? Want to check out studios and meet artists? Does this weekend have some free time?

Check out the NARS self-guided Open Studio Tour on Saturday, May 30 or Sunday, May 31 from 11 AM - 6 PM. (I'd get there no earlier than Noon to ensure sleepier artists have arrived.) The studios are located at 253 36th Street and 88 35th Street, and there will be an opening reception on Saturday from 6 PM to 9 PM. For more info www.narsfoundation.orgor contact Kenya Robinson, Programs Director - programs@narsfoundation.org646.724.4723

See below for details:

BROOKLYN, NY─ On May 30-31, more than 40 artists in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, will open their studios to the public for the 2nd Annual NARS Foundation Open Studio event, offering visitors a unique opportunity to meet and view work by Brooklyn-based visual artists in a new and rapidly evolving artistic community. “An open studio is a very different experience than seeing work in a gallery,” says NARS Founding Director Junho Lee. “You can talk to the artists and learn about their work in the context of their working process. Every room has its own personality.”

The studios are located at 253 36th Street and 88 35th Street in a cluster of 19th century industrial buildings near the East River waterfront. Studios will be open for self-guided tours from 11 AM to 6 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. A reception will be held on Saturday night from 6-9 PM featuring jazz and electronica spun by DJs Michael Paul Britto and Jay Reid.

Maps for the artists’ studios will be available at building entrances during the weekend of the event. Maps, directions, and additional information are also available online at www.narsfoundation.org/events.htm. NARS Foundation studio buildings are conveniently located one block from an express subway stop.

To create synergy, the NARS Foundation Open Studio weekend was scheduled to take place simultaneously with an open studio event organized by the nearby Industry City Art Project.Founded in 2006, NARS Foundation Inc. is dedicated to providing residencies and studio space to artists as a means of inspiring cultural exchange, professional development, and community engagement.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Whether you have a Ba Xuyen picnic in the park, visit Green-Wood Cemetery for the concert, stay at home and watch some television marathon of some sort, or hang out and enjoy a parade, take some time to appreciate the sacrifices others have made for you. I know I have a lot to thank people for.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Vanessa from veesvision uploaded this to the BViB photo pool. Solid looking buddy. Apparently, this dog was waiting for its human friend to come out of a store. I wonder if he wants a dog run in the park.

Bring a folding chair, a blanket and a picnic lunch. Cookout food, snacks and drinks, as well as books and souvenirs relating to the history of the Cemetery, will be for sale--and you can join the Green-Wood Historic Fund.

Admission is free and concert will be held rain or shine.

For the past 14 1/2 years InterSchool Orchestra’s ensemble has provided, FREE OF TUITION, an opportunity for musicians to explore concert band repertoire through rehearsals and performances throughout New York City.

Free parking is available, first come, first served.

A National Historic Landmark–Est. 1838–Our main entrance is located at 500 25th Street (on 5th Avenue) in Brooklyn. Via subway, take the R to the 25th Street station. For more info, call 718.768.7300 or visit us on-line at greenwoodcemetery.org

The irony, of course, is that I do look both ways on one-way streets. It's just habit, and good sense, really. And don't worry, I feel an immense amount of guilt about what happened yesterday. No one needs to lecture me about being more careful. Go ahead, if you must, I'm a traumatized mother right now.

Here's the short version:

Yesterday afternoon, I and my two cherubic imps were crossing 44th Street at 6th Avenue to enter Sunset Park at its main entrance. As we must because of the steep incline, I poked my head around the parked cars to look for on-coming traffic. Thanks to a double parked car loading items and another car backing up into a parking space down the street, it looked even more safe than usual. Phew. Then I looked up the street and saw an Elegante car service car backing up at 6th Avenue.

They often idle by the fire hydrant or the entrance of the park, so I figured this guy was backing up to the hydrant. I waited. He stopped, took it out of reverse, and sat there. Okay, so he's staying at the entrance. I looked back down 44th - all clear - and I started across the street.

When we were almost across the street, the Elegante car started backing up again. Into my stroller-bound kid. The handle of the stroller was pushed into my other kid (who was strapped to me), and the bumper of the car and the wheel were pushing my stroller and my son's legs along.

Now, I promised my husband a while ago that I would watch my language in front of my children. Sorry, honey. As I was tried to pull the stroller out from under the bumper, I started screaming about the car hitting my kid. (That was probably the most terrifying second and a half of my life. You can imagine what flashed through my head.) Then the palabrotas began.

With a crying baby strapped to me and a stunned toddler sitting in the stroller, I yelled in a colorful manner various versions of: car service cars are always backing up down the street, what does he think he's doing backing up on a one-way street, I was crossing at the crosswalk, my kids had better not be hurt, car service guys don't care about the residents they serve, blah blah blah.

I don't think the car service man was malicious. I don't even think he was particularly negligent. He explained he has children as well. He was so sorry. Are they alright. (In his nervousness he was smiling and trying to stop the baby's crying. Don't do that.) He was doing what the car culture of this block does. Yeah, I'm pissed off at him. Yeah, I think he was being careless. However, as angry as I am (maybe was) at this guy, I realized that mini-versions of this happen all the time. It's not a unique situation, and it's not something we cannot change.

That brought me back to the traffic calming issues we've been dealing with forever. A stop sign would not have changed this particular situation, but perhaps a painted crosswalk would have been a visual reminder to the driver that people cross into the park here. Look again.

So this morning, while my baby girl napped, I wrote to my friend Marty Markowitz to remind him about the traffic calming we have desired for so long. Perhaps a brush with injury will be enough to get something for our street here. Let's hope that it's not something more serious that draws attention to the need for traffic calming around the park.

Before you go and check out all the other cool parts of this blog, read up on the Sunset Park road map on Brokelyn. I found out about this courtesy of Brooklynometry (is there already a Brooklyn dictionary with all the words we've made from our borough's name?).

What other suggestions for affordable or cheap services and good can we offer up?

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Phew! Here's the end result of all the public hearings and demonstrations regarding the CB 7 vote on the proposed re-zoning of Sunset Park. If you were there and have a different take on the proceedings, please chime in. It seems that the two changes/requests (see below) would have been a part of the vote anyway, at least based on how CB 7 has voted in the past. What do you think?

Thanks to a reader for sending in this information:

The board approved the re-zoning plan proposed by the NYC Dept. of City Planning with the addition of the following recommendations:

1- Re-zone the length of Fourth Avenue under study to R6A, not R7A as proposed, to protect the panoramic view from the park.

2- Include anti-displacement clause requiring an owner who is filing to alter or demolish an occupied building to obtain a Certificate of No-Harassment in order to get Department of Buildings approval.

It was quite a lively evening. Some people demonstrated outside with signs calling for CB7 to vote against the plan, as proposed. About 15 minutes into the regular monthly meeting, the demonstrators came in, filling the space to standing-room only capacity. They were not shy about expressing their views throughout the reading of the resolution and the subsequent voting.

See the comments section for David Galarza's response to other Sunset Park residents' comments about Re-Zoning and Galarza's participation. Sorry about the extra step, but I don't have the time or patience to re-type it into the body of this post. Blame my feverish babe.

Tonight is the CB 7 meeting about re-zoning and other neighborhood issues (but somehow I think the RZ will be prevalent). Be at 43rd and 4th at 6:30 PM (perhaps earlier) to speak, hopefully listen, and perhaps come to a clear decision.

Remember, the first two comments are from DAVID GALARZA, not me. (He recently ended his campaign for City Council.) I've kept my own opinion about re-zoning out of it. However, I can say that almost all the impassioned commenters on both sides (I think I may be on the third side) have, in addition to salient points, used pseudo-reasoning speckled with ugliness. Several comments were just deleted due to excessively nasty diction.

Tomorrow night is the third installment of a month-long series of dance workshops from around the world at the Sunset Park Recreation Center. These are free and open to the public. Each workshop begins at 6:15 PM. This installment is Afro-Dominican and Haitian Dance.Click on the posters or the Friends of Sunset Park website for more information.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Cuban, Dominican, Ecuadorian, Peruvian? Who cares as long as the food is delicious, right? Well, some might care - based on what they hope is on the menu. However, the food Three and a Half Ginger is serving (whatever the country that inspired it) is really yummy according to at least one customer.

Thanks to gaelenh for uploading this photo from the weekend's Green-Wood Cemetery Awakening to the Best View in Brooklyn photo pool. Gaelenh's photostream has several more photos of the event, so check it out.

Sunset Park has had several new transplants arrive. 5th Avenue is looking a little greener, and the streets surrounding the park have also gotten some new neighbors. I was glad to see that the coop on 44th and 6th decided to request some street trees. They got four. Hopefully they will thrive and help beautify and help clean the air in the area.

This year, the Sunset Park Recreation Center hosted Arab American Service Day. I had no idea it was going on, but on my way to a park-side coop's stoop sale (that never materialized, what a tease!), a neighbor informed me that there were lots of activities up in the park.

There was a free market with tons of clothes and items; I saw many people leaving with trash bags full of clothing.

There were dancing demonstrations.

And, most importantly for my kid, there was a very pleasant woman creating animals out of balloons. Sadly, she seemed to think that a flower balloon he wanted was inappropriate for my son, so he settled for a dog balloon. Maybe she had run out of the other ones. Oh! There was also a prize wheel that had mini first aid kits and bags as prizes, among other things.

This should be an exciting one due to the vote regarding re-zoning in Sunset Park. Demonstrators (mainly against the re-zoning) have promised to be outside. I've heard mixed responses from various people who attended the public meetings about the re-zoning. SPAN and other organizations are saying that most Sunset Park residents are AGAINST the re-zoning, while individuals who attended have said that it was most evenly split, although those against were more vocal and organized. What do you think about the proposed re-zoning?

This week's meeting will be held at 4201 4th Avenue, but you enter the building on 43rd Street. If you've never been, it can be very informative regarding what's going on around Sunset Park and Windsor Terrace. If you're coming from work, or if you just can't make it until after 7 PM, no worries. You can sneak in a little late and no one will blink an eye.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Go check out other people's stuff to see if it could become yours. You can always stop by some Greenwood Heights locales like Ellis, Eurotrip, Suki Sushi, Laurentino's Bakery, and others to help fortify your shopping experience.

COME ONE, COME ALL TO OUR BLOCK-LONG STOOP SALE: MAY 16,2009

It’s that time of year again.Spring has sprung. Recession has hit. You need stuff...the folks on 23rd St. have what you need and want (trust me)! (and even stuff from folks from 21St, 22nd and 20th Sts too!)4th ANNUAL23rd St. MEGA STOOP SALESaturday, May 16 (rain date Sun. May 17)11:00 a.m.-to-5:00 p.m. / btwn 6th & 7th Aves

Houses will have lots of stuff for sale, at, of course, very reasonable prices! (or you can just haggle with everyone)

ON SALE:housewarestchotchkesbooks/CDsclothingfurnitureand a wee bit of “junk” too!

It's a lukewarm but balanced article about some of the concerns and plans regarding the re-zoning proposal. The second public hearing is tomorrow, 1 PM at OLPH's auditorium (6th Avenue between 59th and 60th streets).

The Viking Festival will be in Owl's Head Park on Saturday, May 16 from Noon to 5 PM. The weekend festivities continue on Sunday along 5th Avenue with The Norwegian Day Parade; its 2009 theme is “Norse Mythology," and it begins at 90th Street at 1 PM. If you want to be there to see the end, be at Leif Ericson Park in the 60's (just past the elevated highway).

Thursday, May 14, 2009

I mean, come on. How many of these insane stories do we need to hear before people take responsibility for driving a two ton machine around town? (And yes, I drive a two ton vehicle around town on occasion.) Even if you have the "right of way," even if you MUST make the turn with the yellow light, even if you bumped the car behind you while parking and you want to get away real fast - you are wielding an instrument that can cause serious and deadly damage.

That's not to say that there aren't accidents. We can't help when heart attacks happen. Pedestrians are also insane at times. Brakes fail (although I seriously doubt the brakes fail as much as people claim.). Nevertheless, sitting on a stoop or waiting on a sidewalk ought to be safer than crossing against traffic. Take responsibility for driving a car before something happens, so you don't have to regret what might happen later.

This Saturday, from 10am-3pm, all are welcometo dig in for a day of fun sprucing up and planting.Meet the neighbors + enjoy a performance.

Join us at the Native Plants Children's Garden locatedacross from the Chess Tables by the 6th Avenue + 44th Street entrance.

I think that's the garden just outside of the women's bathroom entrance, but I'm not sure. Anyone know for certain? If you have gardening equipment, bring it along. If not, I'm sure someone will share.

If you live on a hilly block, chances are you've heard our local skateboarders risking life and limb for the thrill of the wind in their hair. When there are several of them flitting by, it sounds like a freight train passing.

Here's what this skateboarder does to save his energy on the level streets. Better watch it, the MTA might start charging half-fare for this.

At tonight's monthly 72nd Precinct Community Council meeting, Captain Pintos asked for community help in identifying three robbers who have hit six bodegas/delis in the past few weeks. Two people (not the robbers) have been injured; one was shot in the shoulder. One of the robberies was on 3rd Avenue and 61st Street. Another was on Greenwood Avenue.

The individuals are described as male, African-American, very thin. The perpetrators wear bandannas over their noses/mouths and enter the store while the third stays in the Ford Expedition ready to help them escape. The getaway vehicle is a Black Ford Expedition with a dull paint job.

The Captain requested that if you see three men in a car matching this description, jot down the license plate and call 1-800-577-tips. Of course, if you think you see a crime in progress, call 911.

Tomorrow night continues the month-long series of dance workshops from around the world at the Sunset Park Recreation Center. These are free and open to the public. Each workshop begins at 6:15 PM. The second installment is Korean Mask Dancing and Drumming. See the poster below or the Friends of Sunset Park website for more information.

Miss Heather at New York Shitty always finds the greatest signs and whatnot around her neighborhood. This is heartfelt, at least. Perhaps a 5th Avenue Mother's Day leftover? Perhaps an attempt at brightening up our days? Perhaps a scavenger hunt stop on the way to a proposal? Perhaps a drunken declaration? Honk if you find this sign.

For how much can I blame allergy symptoms? A neighbor mentioned that Dee and Dee was closing up shot at the 5th Avenue and 50th location due to a (possibly) lost lease. I thought that I hadn't noticed this the last time I was on 5th, but when I strolled by today, I realized that I had noticed it, but it hadn't registered in my pollen soaked head. Oh well.

At least some of the more official looking signs are new since I last walked by. Selling to the Bare Walls certainly sounds ominous. Lucky for bargain hunters, you can just continue on the B63 going north or south and you'll find a Dee and Dee.

My neighbor also wondered what the heck is going to go into this huge space. A whole lot of nothing for a while if the corner of 5th and 45th has anything to say about it. That was empty for a long, long time. Am I the only one who did not know you could get Junior Mints at Dee and Dee? Pop a box into the freezer and you're set for summer.

I've always been a fan of purchasing from the piraguas or ice cream vendors with the carts on 5th and in the park. The idling and rude behavior of our local ice cream truck gentlemen irks me enough to refuse to get a soft-serve (which isn't very good for you anyway). If you don't want something from a cart, get over to Fabio's on 4th Avenue.

May 16th and 17th will bring out the Scandinavians (and those who love them) to celebrate . Check out all the details here. The basics are that Saturday will host a festival in Owl's Head Park from Noon to 5 PM. Viking ships, Scandinavian food, and Turkish drummers. Hmmmm.

And Sunday will be parade day; the theme is "Salute to Norse Mythology" - very cool. Anyone have a spare Valkyrie costume?

Since it seems that it's truly spring (or early summer) now, perhaps some of you are cleaning out the corners of your homes and cupboards. Around the winter holidays, food pantries get a lot of attention, but the needs remain very similar all year round. If you do happen to find an extra jar of peanut butter, some cans of beans, cereal, pasta, and so on...consider dropping it off at one of the food pantries near you. I know, it may feel silly to walk in with two cans of black beans and a box of rice, but if a bunch of people do that - not so silly. Get a box from the people who just moved in up the block and fill it up with your friends' stuff. ;)

The line for a Thursday afternoon food pantry on 4th Avenue between 46th and 47th Street is always around the corner even before the 4:30 PM start time. See previous posts about food pantries in our area here, and check out below for suggestions of where to drop off food stuffs. (CFL will take household items, but I don't believe they still take clothes.)

Food Bank NYC has a search engine you can use to find food services near you.

The Center for Family Life accepts food for its food pantry located at 5505 4th Avenue. (The pantry is open from 10 AM to 3 PM, so before or after that is best.

The Salvation Army, at 520 50th Street also provides food to those in need.

Another local food pantry is at Trinity Lutheran Church. The office is at 411 46th Street (corner of 4th Avenue). Trinity accepts donations of non-perishable foods Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

Iglesia Luz del Mundo at 4616 4th Avenue accepts food, but I'm not sure of hours. I haven't been able to contact anyone. Perhaps you'll have better luck: Hilda Lopez at 347-583-4292.

One of the hosts for an upcoming "Hear the Issues and Drink a Beer" fundraiser for David Galarza would like you to show up to Quarter Bar at 5th Avenue and 20th Street on May 19th. The event starts at 6:30 PM and is scheduled to last until 9 PM. She sent along a Facebook link, and you can reply there. But for those without a Facebook account, you can go to David Galarza's website to check out details about his views. It hasn't been updated to provide event details past May 8th, but perhaps it will have more information soon.

Here's the text from the announcement:

Please join us for a casual gathering in support ofDavid Galarza, City Council Candidate District 38

Meet and hear David's views on the critical issues affecting the people of Brooklyn's 38th.

Suggested donation levels are: $20 $25 $50, $100 and $150, but every contribution, regardless of amount, is a welcome vote of support for David's candidacy.

Light Snacks Provided2 for 1 Draftsa little politics and we'll even throw in some laughs!

Friday, May 8, 2009

This excellent image is courtesy of Vicariously_Me; check out other extremely cool photographs in the photostream. It's from V_M's rooftop, but we're not quite sure where that is. Somewhere in Sunset Park.

What's the issue with allowing the Brooklyn Prospect Charter School to hang out in the new Sunset Park High School building for a few years? Doesn't it make sense for a mostly empty building to be used in a closer version of its normal capacity instead of standing lonely? In as succinct an explanation as I'm able, here's what I think about the concerns I've heard floated around.

First, why would the building be mostly empty? The usual process of beginning a totally new school is to start with one (sometimes two) grades and build it up from there. It's the reverse process for phasing out a school. So the first year, the SPHS will have 9th Graders, the second year it will have 9th and 10th, and so on. That means that the new building on 4th Avenue will be at least half empty for the first two years. Seems wasteful in a time of overcrowding and energy consciousness.

Second, sounds like giving another school the space for a couple of years makes sense. What's the issue? In a perfect world of unbroken agreements and well-planned facilities and programs, there wouldn't be an issue. This is not a perfect world. It's probably not even the best of all possible worlds. And, in a community that had to fight for 30 years to get its own high school, suspicions are high when a brand new charter school gets plopped into the building that represents the hopes and hard work of the neighborhood. Sure, you (meaning the Department of Education and the City) say it's only for two years...but times are uncertain right now. What happens if 18 months go by and it doesn't look like there's another viable space? How would that affect the high school and its growth? Once the charter school is in the space, it will be a lot harder to remove it when the time comes. Other communities have these concerns as well.

Any other issues? Off the top of my head (and unsubstantiated by official information), there is also the issue of a facility being used by two entirely separate entities. The ages of the students differ, the philosophies governing the schools differ, and the enthusiasm for the location of the new Sunset Park High School is probably much different from the feelings the Brooklyn Prospect Charter School has for where it will spend (at least) two years.

Anyway, the hearing during which many of these concerns will be aired is coming up. Parents and concerned community members in District 15 will have a chance to speak up with their questions, worries, and support.

Details: The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) has proposed that beginning in September 2009 Brooklyn Prospect Charter School , a new charter school, be temporarily incubated in the Sunset Park High School building for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years. Brooklyn Prospect Charter School will start with grade 6 in September 2009 and add a grade each year to eventually seeks to serve grades 6-12 by 2015, only grades 6 & 7 are proposed to be located in the Sunset Park High School, grade 6 in September 2009 & grades 6 & 7 in September 2010. At the end of the 2010-11 school year Brooklyn Prospect would move out of the Sunset Park High School building.

Brooklyn Prospect Charter School is authorized by the State University of New York (SUNY). SUNY & the NYCDOE will facilitate the hearing and solicit public comment.

About Brooklyn Prospect Charter School :The mission of Brooklyn Prospect Charter School is to provide a rigorous academic environment in which all students achieve excellence. Brooklyn Prospect Charter School will ensure that its students gain the critical skills and knowledge to enter and excel in college and the competitive world beyond Speaker comment is welcomed, speakers must register. Written comments will also be collected on the day of the hearing and can be submitted via email to: charterschools@schools.nyc.gov.

Pursuant to Education Law 2857(1), the authorizer of a charter school shall hold a public hearing to solicit comment from the community in connection with any proposal for the siting of a charter school in a public school building.

Re-Zoning is change. And inasmuch as we clamor for some and revolt against other, it's almost always colored by emotion. For those who have questions about what is proposed, check out this NYC Department of Planning set of pages. And don't forget about the public comment period! Whether you're Pro-Con-Pondering Still, have a say.

Thanks to both SPAN and the Friends of Sunset Park for sending the links my way.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Tomorrow night begins a month-long series of dance workshops from around the world at the Sunset Park Recreation Center. These are free and open to the public. Each workshop begins at 6:15 PM. The first installment is Lebanese and Palestinian Debke. See the poster above or the Friends of Sunset Park website for more information.

Is it wrong of me to be happy that Sunset Park did not end up on another list? I get teased, occasionally - okay, often - for being a big, dorky, and a touch too earnest cheerleader for Sunset Park. However, it was actually a relief that Sunset didn't show up on the "Visit 9 in 2009" list.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

If you haven't taken a look at El Pequeno Artista for classes, here's a chance to get a crash course. They are running a summer program, and a new Montessori Preschool in Spanish will be starting up in the fall. The open house for both programs is at 5:30 PM on May 14th. See below for RSVP information.

from the email:

Saludos!

El Pequeno Artista will have an open house for parents interested in our Summer Program, and/or the Montessori Preschool in Spanish starting this fall. Come and hear an overview of the programs, meet the director and head teachers, and ask questions, etc. You will also have a chance to register then, if you haven't yet.

I just found out today that you can juice greens. I've had a juicer sitting around for years, unused, while I struggle to use up huge quantities of kale and spinach and other fun leafy things. Now I know that I don't have to worry about wasting greens with a CSA share. I can juice 'em! You know the Mimomex squash blossoms and zucchini wouldn't go to waste, and their famous peppers are inspiring. But I've heard stories from other people who have been members of long-time CSAs, and those stories are scary. Opening the refrigerator and being stared down by bunches of kale and swiss chard is intimidating, but stuffing them into a juicer is satisfying. Bring 'em on, I say.

Thankfully, there are a few shares (full and half) still open in the Sunset Park CSA. Payment in full is due at the end of May (okay, June 1st), but of course it's encouraged before since the deposit date passed at the end of April. Check out the Sunset Park CSA website for downloadable FAQs and membership information. You can also see previous posts about it here.

Quick info:The Mimomex produce is naturally grown, and it's pesticide free.The pick-up is on Wednesday evenings at St. Michael's.Fruit and egg shares are available for an extra cost.Low-income shares are available.Each share volunteers a couple of hours; you get to meet your neighbors!Come on, you'll like it. Everybody else is doing it.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Help with the outreach prior to the public hearings regarding the rezoning in Sunset Park. See below for the organizer's contact information.

from the SPAN email:

WE WILL SPEAK OUT FOR SUNSET PARK!

Important dates have been announced by Community Board 7 concerning Dept. of City Planning's proposed rezoning plan of Sunset Park. This is the first step in the process to approve a rezoning plan that will displace current residents and small businesses in Sunset Park.

We will be there to speak out on our concerns about this plan. Please join us on these dates and on Saturday, May 9th to do outreach in the neighborhood. (If you want to distribute literature on May 9th with us please email directly to Rosita_11215@yahoo.com for the time and location)

What we want: Dept of City Planning recently undertook a rezoning in Bay Ridge that better protects the community and even downzones certain areas. Our priority is a comprehensive plan that encompasses the entire community so we can find solutions to preserve and create housing affordable to the long-time working residents of Sunset Park. We want equal protection for our neighborhood.

Sat, May 9th, (afternoon)Join us to do outreach in the neighborhood(Contact Rosita_11215@yahoo.com for details)

Following last Thursday's sighting of a raccoon near P.S. 24, this Daily News article seems timely. It's also a little alarmist, so I checked out what the CDC had to say here. Even though contracting the parasite is devastating, it doesn't seem to be very common (although the CDC site says that many infections are likely misdiagnosed). Since, according to the article, fewer than 30 cases are reported in the entire United States of America, it hardly seems like a widespread concern; however, two cases turned up in Brooklyn (only one was apparently contracted in Brooklyn). According to the CDC site linked above, here's what they look like: "Feces usually are dark and tubular, have a pungent odor (usually worse than dog or cat feces), and often contain undigested seeds or other food items." Mmmmm. Pungent.

Advice to avoid contraction of Raccoon Roundworm includes avoiding ingestion of raccoon feces. Now, some of you may say, "Well done. Simple enough." But think of all the times you touch your shoes, put down a bag on the sidewalk or in the park, close a stroller and touch the wheels, and so on. Believe me, fecal matter other than your own is a part of your life! So, just as the best deterrent to (insert appropriate name here) flu is to wash your hands, the same goes here. And wash your hands before rubbing your eye, wiping your kid's nose, or eating a red bean bun from Blue Sky bakery.* Real soap is the best as well. Is singing Happy Birthday all the way through the amount of time you're supposed to wash hands? Or is that for brushing teeth?

*I know it's unrealistic to avoid doing most of what we do after washing hands, and many of us pretend that those wipes from CostCo will kill germs. But washing hands is good practice anyway, so we may as well do it as often as possible.

Basically, it's likely not something to worry about; it's something to be aware of. Watch yourself, watch your kids, and watch out for pungent feces of all kinds.

Born in 1945, Hara Kazuo was influenced as a young man by the protest movements that took place throughout Japan and the world in the late 1960s and 70s. He founded Shisso Productions in 1971 with his wife, producer, and primary collaborator Sachiko Kobayashi. He has published five documentary films thus far, including the award-winning The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On, widely recognized as most important and influential documentary ever made in Japan, Goodbye CP, A Dedicated Life, Extreme Private Eros: Love Song 1974, and Watashi no Mishima.

from the press release:

Hara Kazuo's innovations have transformed documentary filmmaking. Now, Kaya Press is pleased to announce its release of Camera Obtrusa: The Action Documentaries of Hara Kazuo. In support of the release, Mr. Hara will be touring the US in April and May, appearing in New York, Princeton, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Throughout the four decades of his career, Hara Kazuo has stalked the bizarre and disturbing margins of Japanese society, certain that central truths are to be found in fringe phenomena. His "action documentary" method pursues the shocking effect of the action film, following the gesture and staying in the moment. Hara's explosive technique has contributed directly to the current ascendance of the documentary film; his best-known disciple is Michael Moore, who lists Hara as one of his favorite directors.

In CAMERA OBTRUSA: HARA KAZUO'S ACTION DOCUMENTARIES Kaya Press offers the first English-language book on Hara's life and method by the master himself. Digging into the practical elements of his craft, the author describes each of his groundbreaking films in detail; he puts his work into context with a funny and heartbreaking visit to his own strange upbringing.

Kaya Press will launch CAMERA OBTRUSA in May with a five city author tour featuring screenings of the films The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On and Extreme Private Eros: Love Song 1974. Director Hara Kazuo and his life and filmmaking partner, producer Kobayashi Sachiko, will appear at all events with a translator, and will sign books afterwards.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

A local parent spotted a "slow and lethargic" raccoon near P.S. 24 on Thursday afternoon. She wasn't sure who to call, and the short answer is to call 311 if you see any animal behaving strangely.

A much more comprehensive answer was presented by another local parent who used to work at a wildlife center:

311 (Animal Control) is probably the best resource in the City for issues like this, but they're unlikely to be able to do anything if the raccoon isn't contained (in a box or a cage trap) or injured. Even slow moving raccoons will probably leave the area before they arrive.

Believe it or not, raccoons are actually more populous in cities and suburbs than in the "wilds," because they thrive on our leftovers and trash. The Humane Society of the United States has lots of good information on its website about raccoons: Link. Another good resource is the MSPCA: link.

Your experience is a good reminder that we should all teach our kids to stay away from wildlife and take care to secure our trash. (And maybe rethink leaving cat food outside overnight.)

If you click on the photo uploaded by staceyjoy, you'll see the economy size in the comments. How are these? Anyone out there addicted? Are they squishy or solid? Is it coconut on top or just sugar? And the real question, is there a chocolate variety?

There's not a lot that's more energizing than good drumming and dancing. The Rec Center wants you to get drumming and dancing for free. Thursdays at 6 PM during May you can do just that thanks to the Brooklyn Arts Council and the Sunset Park Recreation Center.

May 7th will be Palestinian/Levantine DebkaMay 14th is Korean Drumming and DancingMay 21st is Afro-Dominican and Afro Puerto Rican night (will we see Bombayo again?)May 28th is a Drum Jam.

This building (at 713-715 43rd Street) is going to grow up to be a five floor, ten unit building.A year ago, the two one-family houses that stood here were torn down. The thing is, there isn't anything posted about building something. There's only something posted about a sidewalk barrier. The application is in, but it seems nothing has come of that yet. (As always, I could be reading these things incorrectly.) The lack of necessary paperwork hasn't stopped the preparations for quintupling the amount of residents, however! The above photo was take at the beginning of April, 2009. The photo below was taken on the last day of April, 2009.True, it's not a whole lot of work that's getting done, but the brickwork has begun! If anyone has the time, could you chime in about whether or not this building is being built with proper go-ahead? The 713/715 addresses have two different sets of "job filings." The primary structural system also is claimed as wood. Is there any wood going on here?

Started just recently, the FoSP blog is full of great neighborhood information. Considering that Maria Roca and FoSP have been one of the driving forces behind loads of great activities for adults and children in the area, the blog will be THE place to stay updated with dates and details about what's going on.

Imagine the whimsy of 20-foot-tall puppets guiding you through Green-Wood. Even if you’ve visited before, you’ve never seen Green-Wood like this! “Green-Wood Awakening” is a spring celebration that is part historic tour and part interactive theater. Featuring live music and the eye-popping artistry of The Puppeteer’s Cooperative, this special event will draw you into the magic, beauty and fascinating stories and legends of Green-Wood. This event is great for grown-ups and also a terrific family day outing!

SPECIAL EVENT & TOUR @ GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY:Tickets are $10. To purchase advance tickets, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ or call the 24/7 Hotline at 1.800.838.3006SPECIAL OFFER: $25 family package that admits two adults and up to five children under 16.

A National Historic Landmark–Est. 1838–Our main entrance is located at 500 25th Street (on 5th Avenue) in Brooklyn. Via subway, take the R to the 25th Street station. For more info, call 718.768.7300 or visit us on-line at http://www.greenwoodcemetery.org/

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Not a Historic Fund member? Your support helps us to preserve the past to serve the future. Enroll today and enjoy membership benefits and discounts on all walking/trolley tours, books and more. Enroll by calling 718.768.7300, visit http://www.greenwoodcemetery.org/ or e-mail info@greenwoodcemetery.org